1. The Basis and Three Stages of Resurrection Faith Found in 1 Corinthians 15
In celebration of Easter, Pastor David Jang repeatedly emphasizes the importance of 1 Corinthians 15, urging believers to precisely understand the foundation of the resurrection faith and to hold fast to it. In particular, he explains that in 1 Corinthians 15, the Apostle Paul clearly unfolds in three stages what the resurrection is and what it means for believers.
The first stage is the resurrection of the Lord Himself-"the resurrection of Christ." In 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Paul declares that the Lord's resurrection occurred "according to the Scriptures." He testifies that Jesus died according to the Scriptures and rose again according to the Scriptures, emphasizing that there were many witnesses to this fact. Over five hundred brothers saw the risen Lord at one time, and Paul notes that most of them were still alive at the time of his writing. Moreover, the Lord appeared not only to Peter (Cephas), and to the twelve disciples (in reality, after Jesus' ascension and Judas Iscariot's absence, it was the eleven), but also to the Lord's brother James and even to Paul himself. These firsthand accounts became the absolute foundation for the church's certainty in the Lord's resurrection.
Pastor David Jang poses the question, "How can we understand and proclaim the resurrection?" The answer, he says, is that "Paul has organized it so precisely." When believers read and meditate on the opening section of 1 Corinthians 15, they internalize the truth that the resurrection we believe in is not in vain but a definite event that happened in history. Paul repeatedly uses the phrase "according to the Scriptures" to clarify that Jesus perfectly fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's death and resurrection. As a result, the church and believers can steadfastly hold to this first stage: "Christ has truly been raised."
The second stage, described in verses 12-34, addresses "the resurrection of the dead." Here, Paul argues that if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ was not raised either. And if Christ was not raised, the gospel that the apostles preached would be empty, and the faith of believers would be in vain. When controversy arose within the church regarding "the impossibility of the resurrection of the dead," Paul directly refutes it, explaining why the resurrection is necessary. "If the Lord was raised, then surely we who believe will also be raised. Otherwise, our faith itself collapses." He provides a thorough and profound exposition about "the resurrection of the dead," confirming that believers too will share in the resurrection.
Highlighting this passage, Pastor David Jang states, "Even today, people still harbor fundamental questions-'How will our dead bodies be raised again?' 'Can we really participate in the resurrection like Jesus?'-and Paul gives a clear explanation." Throughout church history, not a few believers have established their eschatology and understanding of resurrection by carefully reading and meditating on 1 Corinthians 15. It breaks the nihilistic notion that "nothing remains after death" and instead lays the foundation of faith: "Because Christ has been raised, we hold a hope of resurrection."
The third stage, from verses 35-58, is an explanation concerning "the resurrection of the body." Here Paul addresses the question "How can a dead body be brought back to life?" by referring to a "change of state." Just as a caterpillar goes through a chrysalis stage and transforms into a butterfly, or as a grain of wheat must fall into the ground and die for a new shoot to spring forth, so too is the principle of resurrection. "As you can see changes occurring in nature, so too will our bodies that die in Christ ultimately be changed into a 'glorious body'-a 'spiritual body.'" Pastor David Jang explains that it is almost as if Paul is rebuking those who cannot believe in the bodily resurrection: "Why do so many struggle to believe in the 'resurrection of the body?' This is precisely the biblical message of a new beginning after death."
Based on the verse "If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body" (1 Cor 15:44), Paul concludes that as Christ was clothed in a "glorious body" when He rose from the dead, so too will we follow in the Lord's resurrection. For those who hold to the faith of resurrection, this is a message that instills a holy expectation and hope. Summarizing 1 Corinthians 15, Pastor David Jang reiterates, "Jesus' resurrection is the 'firstfruits,' and afterward we too shall be raised to a glorious new life. Paul sets this out so clearly that no further explanation is needed."
Thus, the entirety of 1 Corinthians 15 is structured around "the resurrection of Christ → the resurrection of the body," forming a key framework of Christian doctrine. From the early church to the modern church, it has been a chapter frequently cited when teaching about the resurrection faith. In particular, Pastor David Jang underscores, "This three-stage doctrine of resurrection that Paul presents is the cornerstone of our faith and plays a central role in anchoring the true gospel in the church."
Meanwhile, the Gospels-Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, and John 20-record the resurrection of Jesus in detail. They invite readers to believe in the resurrection based on "the historical record" and "the testimony of witnesses" that Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to His disciples. Especially in John 20, after Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, Peter, and John in sequence, He appears lastly to Thomas and says, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." This scene is crucial in proclaiming the resurrection faith in today's church.
Thomas, who was known to doubt, once said, "Unless I put my finger in the nail marks, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." But the Lord dispelled his doubts by revealing Himself tangibly, proclaiming, "Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." The authors of the Gospels assert that this is "the core of the gospel the church must preach." Therefore, even today, the church must proclaim the same message: "Hold fast to this historical fact-what clearer proof could there be?" as Pastor David Jang points out.
In addition, John 20:30-31 explicitly states the purpose of recording the Gospel: "Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name." This reveals that the Gospel is more than a biography or a mere record of historical facts; it is a spiritual treasury centered on the "life" given through Jesus Christ.
However, the Gospel of John does not conclude at chapter 20; there is an additional chapter-chapter 21. Traditionally, John 21 has been interpreted as an "appendix" or "epilogue," since John 20:30-31 already offers the primary conclusion of the Gospel. Pastor David Jang raises the question: "Why was John 21 added as if it were a supplement?" And to address this, he delves into eschatology, early church history, and the confusion the church faced while awaiting the Lord's return.
2. The Meaning of John 21 and the Church's Commission to "Feed My Sheep"
Pastor David Jang explains that John 21 was written to "show clearly how the church ought to live in history after the Lord's resurrection and ascension." John 20 has already provided sufficient testimony of the resurrection and presented the primary purpose of "that you may have life through believing in the gospel." Why, then, was a whole additional chapter appended?
John 21:1 opens with "Afterward Jesus appeared again to His disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way." Verses 2-3 introduce seven disciples who are together-Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, the two sons of Zebedee (James and John), and two others. Though the twelve (or eleven, after Judas's absence) appeared in chapter 20, here we see only seven. According to Pastor David Jang, the Gospel often uses "pictorial language" with theological messages, and each scene metaphorically represents the condition of the church.
Even after witnessing the Lord's resurrection, the disciples were still disoriented. Though they knew Jesus was alive, they might not have fully grasped how to live from that point onward. After Jesus' ascension, with His physical absence, they could have felt a vague sense of fear and frustration. Thus, when Peter says, "I am going out to fish" (John 21:3), the other disciples join him, but they catch nothing all night.
At daybreak, the risen Lord appears on the shore, but at first the disciples do not recognize Him (v.4). Jesus calls out, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" and they answer, "No" (v.5). The term "Children" (or "Friends" in some translations) draws attention-Pastor David Jang sees in this a symbolic reference to the disciples' spiritual state. They are still immature, confused, in a "childlike" condition.
Nevertheless, when Jesus instructs them, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat" (v.6), they promptly obey, and the net becomes so full of fish they cannot haul it in. This scene parallels Luke 5, where Jesus tells them to "put out into deep water, and let down the nets." Pastor David Jang regards this story as central to revealing "what is the church's mission after the resurrection." He reminds us of how the Lord first called the disciples, saying, "I will make you fishers of men" (Matt 4:19).
As "fishers of men," the disciples-and by extension the church-are tasked with delivering the Lord's message of salvation to the ends of the earth. "This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come" (Matt 24:14). Furthermore, even though they caught many fish, the net did not tear (John 21:11), which has traditionally symbolized "the gospel can encompass innumerable people and still not break." The magnificent work of evangelizing, converting, and uniting believers into one body is sustained by God's power, and it cannot be toppled.
Pastor David Jang notes that many theologians throughout history have studied the significance of the number "153" in John 21:11. Augustine, one of the early Church Fathers, viewed this as a "magic number" and explored what it might signify. As the centuries passed and we discovered various peoples, ethnicities, and living species on earth, some interpreters have posited that "153" represents "the entirety of humanity and the totality of creation." By recording that very specific number, John underscores the universality of gospel proclamation and the miraculous "net" that never breaks under God's power.
Subsequently, we see the risen Jesus inviting the disciples, "Come and have breakfast" (John 21:12), and the text indicates that there were already coals burning with fish on it and some bread (John 21:9-12). This is both a metaphor-"The Lord has already prepared everything for us, and He feeds and cares for us"-and a reminder of the Lord's Supper that the church is to continue. Pastor David Jang highlights that the word "charcoal fire" also appears when Peter is warming himself while denying Jesus three times (John 18:18). Here, in front of a similar charcoal fire, the risen Lord symbolically restores Peter from the shame and failure of his denial.
Although the Lord has prepared fish and bread, He also says, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught" (John 21:10). When the church evangelizes the world and brings souls to the Lord, they unite with "the table the Lord has prepared," resulting in a complete fellowship. Pastor David Jang explains, "Ultimately, the church's work is to cast the net according to the Lord's Word, to gather people, and to bring them to the Lord. Then the Lord, having prepared bread and fish, feeds us and brings us into fellowship."
Continuing to verse 15 and onward, we encounter the famous exchange between Jesus and Peter: "Do you love Me?" The Lord asks Peter this question three times, and Peter answers three times, "Lord, You know that I love You." Jesus then commands, "Feed My lambs," "Take care of My sheep," and "Feed My sheep" (John 21:15-17). Here Pastor David Jang underscores a critical responsibility of the church.
If one of the church's reasons for existing is evangelism, another is "shepherding." On one hand, the church must go out into the world to "fish for people" and bring in lost souls; on the other hand, it must act as a "shepherd," caring for and nurturing the "lambs" already within the community of faith. Given to Peter and by extension to the church, Jesus' command to "Feed My sheep" means, "If you love Me, you must love and serve My flock with devotion."
The process by which Peter, who had denied Jesus three times, is restored three times before the risen Lord has become a pivotal symbol throughout church history. This scene reveals the essence of the gospel: "The Lord restores even those who have erred and betrayed Him." At the same time, this dialogue laid the groundwork for how the church would be established and its leaders would be formed in the future. Pastors, elders, teachers, and other church leaders are not merely to run an organization or plan events; they are called to "Feed My sheep" out of a genuine love for the Lord. Pastor David Jang regards this point as paramount.
Later in John 21, Peter asks, "Lord, what about him?" (referring to John), and Jesus replies, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow Me" (John 21:22). Within the church, people often debate the timing of the Lord's return-"When is He coming back?" or "Will this person remain until the Second Coming?" The early church also expected the Second Coming to be imminent, but as time went on, questions arose about why the Lord had not yet returned, causing turmoil. Within the Johannine community, as the Apostle John lived to an old age, rumors spread that "perhaps this man will not die."
Yet, Jesus quelled such speculations by saying, "That is not your concern. You follow Me." In other words, it is more important to love the Lord by feeding His sheep and preaching the gospel than to argue about how and when the Lord might return. This, Pastor David Jang concludes, is the ultimate reason why John 21 was appended as a supplementary chapter.
In other words, the Gospel might have concluded in chapter 20 with the complete testimony of the resurrection, but the story of the disciples returning to the Sea of Galilee (Tiberias) paints a concrete picture of how the church carries out its mission in this world, even after the risen Lord has ascended. Additionally, by mentioning the confusion over the timing of His Second Coming-"If I want him to remain alive until I return"-John reminds believers not to get entangled in unproductive speculation, but to heed the call, "You must follow Me." The final statement in John 21:25, "Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written," proclaims the vastness and infinity of the Lord's work.
Consequently, John 21 teaches us that "the church and believers who hold to the resurrection must carry out the Lord's commands in the world: casting the net for souls, feeding them with His Word, and not allowing conflicts over the Second Coming to distract from following the Lord." Pastor David Jang exhorts the church and believers today to apply these truths: "All the messages we need to cling to this Easter are fully contained in John 21." By practicing evangelism (missions), worship (sacraments), and shepherding (caring) as three key pillars, the church concretizes its love for the Lord.
- First, Evangelism (Missions):As "fishers of men," we must preach the gospel to the entire world. Whether it is our neighbor, our local community, or distant lands, we are to proclaim the salvation message given by the Lord. Just as Jesus directed, "Throw the net on the right side of the boat," we must obey His Word and spread the gospel, whether the time seems favorable or not. Like a grain of wheat that appears to die but then yields abundant fruit, the church is called to fulfill this mission.
- Second, Worship (Sacraments):Just as the Lord prepared fish and bread for the disciples and invited them to breakfast, the church partakes in the Lord's Supper, remembering His body and blood and sharing together in the life He gives. Represented by bread and wine, Communion is a sacred practice wherein the church is united with Christ and fellowship is strengthened among believers. Pastor David Jang often refers to this as "the table prepared by the Lord," emphasizing that it serves as a vivid reminder of His love and sacrifice.
- Third, Shepherding (Care):Following the Lord's command "Feed My sheep," the church must care for believers-both those already inside and those newly joining. Even someone like Peter, who had stumbled and denied Jesus, is restored by the Lord and entrusted with this responsibility to shepherd. This concretely manifests the command "Love one another," as the church helps and nurtures the weaker members through Scripture and prayer. In doing so, we express our true love for the Lord.
Pastor David Jang repeatedly highlights that the driving force behind all these tasks is "the heart that loves the Lord." Saying, "Lord, You know that I love You," is not merely an emotional declaration but an act of obedience and devotion lived out in daily life. Throughout church history, many believers have faced persecution and trials yet refused to abandon evangelism or the care of fellow believers-ultimately because they "loved the Lord."
An eschatological viewpoint is also woven into this discussion. The early church believed that the Lord's return would happen very soon, but as time passed, various disputes and questions emerged. In the Thessalonian church, rumors spread like "the Day of the Lord has already come," or "If the Lord is coming soon, is there any point in working?" In response, Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians, explaining that certain events-like the rebellion and the appearance of the "man of lawlessness"-must occur first. He exhorted them that "if anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat," urging them to live in a proper manner.
Likewise, in John 21, we see the rumor that "John will not die until the Lord returns," but Jesus refocuses them with "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow Me." For the church, disputing about the date or manner of Christ's return is less important than faithfully performing its present mission: hearing the Lord's command, "Follow Me." This is the path the church must walk from Easter onward, until Christ comes again.
In his Easter sermon, Pastor David Jang expounds on this message: "The church must always stand upon the resurrection faith, evangelize until the end of the age, worship in spirit and truth, and care for one another." All of this is an expression of "loving the Lord." Those who believe in the risen Christ can serve faithfully in the tension between the "already" and the "not yet," never losing heart in the face of worldly challenges. This is because Jesus promised, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me," and "I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matt 28:18-20).
John 21 succinctly demonstrates how the church ought to live. Other chapters of the Gospels detail the miracles, teachings, suffering, death, and factual accounts of the resurrection of Jesus, whereas chapter 21 begins with "the disciples, who, even after witnessing the risen Lord, still wandered uncertainly." It proceeds through "casting the net and catching a large number of fish" (symbolizing the vision of missions), "the charcoal fire, fish, and bread" (symbolizing the Lord's Supper and worship), "the threefold Q&A and the command to 'Feed My sheep'" (symbolizing shepherding), and ends with a discussion about "John's fate" (symbolizing how the church should handle questions of eschatology and Christ's return). Everything is interconnected, offering a comprehensive lesson on "how the church, standing on the resurrection faith, bears fruit for the kingdom of God in the world."
In this way, Pastor David Jang connects 1 Corinthians 15 and John 21 to teach about "resurrection faith and the church's practice." While 1 Corinthians 15 systematically presents the doctrine of resurrection theologically, John 21 vividly shows how the disciples and the early church community should live after the risen Lord's ascension-a kind of "epilogue." Studying these two chapters together helps us see that the Lord's resurrection is not just the foundation of the church's faith but also the guiding principle for how the church should bear fruit in real life.
Whenever the church celebrates Easter, it should not merely commemorate "the resurrection of Jesus" but also reaffirm "participating in that resurrection life and fulfilling our mission in the world." This resolve applies to each individual believer as well. Whether in the workplace or at home, we can obey the Lord's command to "cast the net" with zeal for evangelism, partake in the grace of the Lord who feeds us through worship and Communion, and build up weaker brothers and sisters with a shepherd's heart. Thereby, we demonstrate through our entire lives the confession: "Lord, You know that I love You."
As Pastor David Jang reiterates, the church must continually serve the world in the power of the resurrection faith and remain focused on the mandate, "You must follow Me," even when controversies and confusion arise about the Second Coming. Believing in the risen Lord and receiving life in His gospel, we share that life, care for each other, and offer Him rightful worship and praise. This is the ultimate message of John 21.
The command "Feed My lambs" is a sacred responsibility for all who claim to love the Lord, and it is the clearest hallmark of what makes a church truly the church. In obeying this command, we experience transformation through the Holy Spirit's power. Those who believe in the resurrection are no longer enslaved by death, and they press on with hope despite the hardships of this world. Pastor David Jang puts it this way: "After Easter, we have one task: remain faithful to the work the Lord has entrusted to us, remembering that the One we love already holds all authority in heaven and on earth. While we wait for Him to come again, let us stand in the place of John 21-casting our nets and feeding His sheep."
This is the continual invitation and plea extended to the church at every Easter: to hear the Lord's voice asking, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" and to obey the command, "Feed My lambs," each day expressing in tangible ways our confession: "Lord, You know that I love You." It is the way to truly hold fast to the resurrection faith. According to Pastor David Jang, as we walk this path, the joy and hope of the resurrection will overflow among all believers and in the church community.
